This breed is one of the most endangered species in the world today and Donkeys of Wales are the only breeders of them in Wales.

The Baudet du Poitou donkey is most recognisable by its long matted and tangled coat, which is always black or dark brown, and its big ears. The Baudet du Poitou has a massive bone structure and is known for its strength.

In 1977 there were just 44 registered pure bred Poitou donkeys left in the world, even today there are fewer than 800 worldwide and less than 60 in the UK.

The primary job of the Baudet du Poitou was one of breeding. They were crossed with the Mulassiere horse (French Cob), which was the horse of the Poitou and produced the Poitou mule.

In its heyday it is said that 30,000 mules were produced of a very high quality and bred for France and the rest of Europe. The mules were prized as the finest working animals in the world.

The Baudet du Poitou were kept purely for bloodstock and great care was taken to enusre that the donkeys were not crossed or sold out of the region. As a result, the breed was kept pure for hundreds of years.

After World War II, when motorised vehicles took over in agriculture, demand for the mule dropped and, as a result, the Poitou donkey became redundant.

Some breeders sold or killed their herds and, as a result, the Poitou donkey became an endangered species. Purebred Poitou donkeys are very expensive and are nearly impossible to find.

Our A book Poitou jennies

Care of the Baudet du Poitou

Poitou donkeys need the same care as other donkeys, a stable or field shelter to protect them from the elements - rain, sun, wind - and a hard-standing for them to have their hooves picked out daily. In France the Poitou donkey is never groomed - the hair is left to form mats and ringlets.

Donkeys need more fibre than horses to maintain a healthy diet. Only feed hay when grass has lost its goodness and straw at other times.

Poitous are gentle giants and like all donkeys love lots of attention and adore all people, young and old.

We have an A Book Baudet du Poitou jack who is standing at stud to approved jennies only.